Thanks for all your responses. Suffice it to say, the difference between F and C is negligible? Why on earth are they so strict about double upgrades on these midcon flights then? Is there no difference in service besides the seats?

Three years ago, there were substantial differences between midcon F and C.

3 meal choices compared to 2
A yoghurt bar for dessert
Mrs. Fields cookies with milk prior to arrival.

I tried to find some menus from when I flew C and F midcon in the late 90's but I can't seem to find them. The only menu I came up with is a first class on a 757 which had 3 meal choices, and the yoghourt bar, and cookies. The wine list was Californian and wasn't exactly memorable. One interesting note is that in late 1999 United started to put this header on their wine lists “United selects its wines in blind tastings governed by the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin.”

I still remember some of the excellent French Chablis in international first class. Ever since then, some of the Australian whites seem less than enticing..